From the article: Does My Horse Need a Companion?
Horses need companions. But not everyone can afford, or has the space to keep more than one horse. How can you provided companionship for a horse? Share Your Tips
Black Oak Jct. Ranch
- I have two goats and one donkey. Very territorial especially around food and if I let the donkey out anywhere around the house he will chase off anything that moves including the goats, but will back up and let the goats steal his food. Goats follow me around all day and stay close. Never pen them up except at night. They bully my dogs, but be careful as one day that dog will grow up, lol. Love my donkey, but he was so abused and never fed by previous owner. Now is a great pet, but seems lonely and needs people and a companion. Lots of neighboring horses and donkeys and he spends lots of time on the fences. Feed my goats and donkey twice a day in the winter and little in the summer. Fresh water all the time. They are just like we are and need fresh water.
- —Guest Ernie
Miniatures
- Miniature horses are good companions, because they don't need shoes and they don't eat as much.
- —Guest ME!13
rspca rules?
- Really ? Foolishness. Horses are much like people. Sometimes they just plain don't like each other. There's a downside to keeping two horses - often they become so attached to one another they can't work apart. If you own a horse, and don't work with it daily, why have it ?? YOU are the companion if you choose to own a single horse. Boredom is another question, and horses on pasture often reduce that by relating to other critters. As for other horses, often the presence of horses they can see in pastures across the road or a quarter-mile off is "enough".
- —flyingcollie
Companions
- Horses will make contact strait away with whatever is around it. Goats,chikens,pigs,cow, make great companions. Racehorses usualy have dogs, or cats. other horses and donkeys are probably the best companions for your horse, on the other hand iff you don have any companions, constant attention is needed for your horse.
- —Guest lanii
rspca rules
- i read an article once that said the rspca wouldnt let you buy just one horse!This is shocking i think horses can live with any animal, my horse live with other horses but sometimes if one has behaviour problems a chicken or a sheep can teach it better manners than a horse.
- —Guest happyhorsey
Companionship Helps
- I have 4 goats that live with my horse. However, my horse is quite happy with the 4 goats! I used to have a donkey, but had to sell it due to excessive noise and it did not get along with the horse. It seemed that the horse wanted to be with the donkey, but the donkey wanted to be alone! Anyway, I think animals really need companions to be happy. After all, you can't be out there 24/7 keeping the horse company in the pasture or in the barn! (Although in the summer I wish I could)
- —Guest Equestrian996
Small friend-big difference
- I have only one horse and one goat and a few chickens. Goat and horse are upset when one is taken away from the other. They look out for each other. Chickens sleep with the goat and I have fewer bugs and less weeds in pasture. Harmony all around.
- —Guest 247rider
